EP0514961B1 - Sammelbehältervorrichtung für Kraftstoffdämpfe - Google Patents

Sammelbehältervorrichtung für Kraftstoffdämpfe Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0514961B1
EP0514961B1 EP92201204A EP92201204A EP0514961B1 EP 0514961 B1 EP0514961 B1 EP 0514961B1 EP 92201204 A EP92201204 A EP 92201204A EP 92201204 A EP92201204 A EP 92201204A EP 0514961 B1 EP0514961 B1 EP 0514961B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compartment
main compartment
auxiliary
control valve
pressure control
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92201204A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0514961A1 (de
Inventor
S. Raghuma Reddy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Motors Liquidation Co
Original Assignee
Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Motors Liquidation Co filed Critical Motors Liquidation Co
Publication of EP0514961A1 publication Critical patent/EP0514961A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0514961B1 publication Critical patent/EP0514961B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M25/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture
    • F02M25/08—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture adding fuel vapours drawn from engine fuel reservoir
    • F02M25/0854—Details of the absorption canister
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M25/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture
    • F02M25/08—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture adding fuel vapours drawn from engine fuel reservoir
    • F02M2025/0845—Electromagnetic valves

Definitions

  • This invention relates to vehicle fuel system evaporation loss control in general, and specifically to a fuel vapour storage canister assembly that has increased efficiency for vapour adsorption and vapour purge.
  • Evaporative fuel vapours generated in a vehicle fuel system are adsorbed by activated carbon (charcoal) in a canister and later purged and consumed during engine combustion.
  • activated carbon Charcoal
  • the canister becomes only partially loaded with hydrocarbon vapor, or partially saturated with hydrocarbon vapour from the fuel tank.
  • the partially saturated canister may experience several hours of soak before it is purged or reloaded with vapours.
  • Partially loaded or purged canisters left overnight have shown far less available vapour adsorption capacity and a higher tendency to have hydrocarbon vapour filter out of the canister through the atmospheric vent to yield breakthrough emissions, than similar canisters tested immediately.
  • An example of the prior art, in accordance with the preamble of Claim 1 is disclosed in US-A-4280466.
  • a fuel vapour storage canister assembly in accordance with the present invention is characterised by the features specified in the characterising portion of claim 1.
  • the present invention is a compartmental evaporative canister and pressure control valve assembly.
  • the pressure control valve isolates an auxiliary compartment of the canister from a main compartment.
  • the main compartment contains one or more chambers which communicate with each other by restrictive passages.
  • the top chamber of the main compartment is intended for storing daily vapour generation.
  • the purpose of the auxiliary compartment is to reduce breakthrough emissions by preserving a portion of clean carbon. Since some vapour migration can occur through the compartment openings, the auxiliary compartment is isolated from the final chamber of the main compartment by using a pressure control valve.
  • a pressure control valve similar to that disclosed in US patent no. 4,153,025 is currently used on some vehicles to reduce tank vapour generation. By installing the pressure control valve on the canister before the last compartment it can reduce both tank vapour generation and canister breakthrough emissions.
  • the present invention has four preferred objects. 1) It reduces vapour migration throughout the canister. 2) It improves the purge rate. 3) It improves vapour adsorption on subsequent soaks. And, 4) it significantly reduces the chance of breakthrough emissions.
  • the preferred embodiment of the system comprises a fuel tank 10, and a canister 12, connected to the air induction system of a vehicle engine by conduits 14, 16, and 20.
  • a pressure control valve 18 When the pressure of the air-fuel vapour mixture formed in fuel tank 10 exceeds the threshold pressure of a pressure control valve 18 the mixture is vented to canister 12 through conduit 14, where the fuel vapour component is stored in a manner more fully described below.
  • engine vacuum from the air induction system opens the pressure control valve 18, allowing air flow through canister 12 to desorb the stored fuel vapours and send them back to the engine intake.
  • the canister 12 has an exterior housing 24 of moulded plastic, which encloses an interior volume, charged with activated charcoal granules, or the like, which are capable of adsorbing the fuel portion of an air-fuel vapour mixture that is fed through canister 12.
  • the interior volume is partitioned horizontally into a main compartment 26 and an auxiliary compartment 28.
  • the main compartment 26 is substantially larger than the auxiliary compartment 28 and has at least two chambers 26a and 26b.
  • Fuel vapour vented through the conduit 14 enters the canister 12 through an inlet/outlet aperture 30 and into the first chamber 26a.
  • a partition 32 divides the two chambers 26a, 26b of the main compartment 26 and has a passage 34 that allows vapour to pass between the two chambers.
  • the passage 34 restricts the migration of the fuel vapour to the last chamber 26b of the main compartment 26, thereby providing a more efficient desorption of the canister 12 during purge by keeping the fuel vapour concentrated near the inlet/outlet aperture 30 in the first chamber 26
  • a partition 36 separates the last chamber 26b of the main compartment 26 and the auxiliary compartment 28.
  • a connective means 38 joins the last chamber 26b and the auxiliary compartment 28.
  • the pressure control valve 18 is positioned in the connective means 38 and opens when the pressure in the main compartment 26 reaches a threshold level during the soaking period.
  • a diaphragm 40 in the pressure control valve 18 is biased by spring 42 to close the connective means 38 between the main compartment 26 and auxiliary compartment 28, and thereby obstruct vapour migration between the two compartments.
  • the pressure in the fuel tank 10 and main compartment 26 will reach a threshold to cause the diaphragm 40 to compress spring 42 and allow flow from the main compartment 26 to the auxiliary compartment 28.
  • the diaphragm 40 will close the connective means 38 once the pressure has been relieved. Because vapour cannot migrate from main compartment 26 to auxiliary compartment 28 when diaphragm 40 closes connective means 38, the auxiliary compartment 28 remains substantially clean of fuel vapour, and therefore essentially eliminates breakthrough emissions through an atmospheric vent 22, which is located at the bottom of auxiliary chamber 28 through the exterior housing 24.
  • the pressure control valve 18 also responds to vacuum from the manifold at port 44.
  • the pressure differential across the diaphragm 40 will be sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring 42 and open.
  • vacuum applied to inlet/outlet aperture 30 induces air flow through the atmospheric vent 22.
  • the air will flow successively through the auxiliary compartment 28, the pressure control valve 18 in the connective means 38, the chambers 26b, 26a of the main compartment 26, and out through the inlet/outlet aperture 30 in the first chamber 26a.
  • a purge solenoid 50 normally closed when the engine is not running, opens to return the vapour to the intake of the engine by means of conduit 16.
  • the purge solenoid 50 does not form part of the invention as such, but would generally be present.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Supplying Secondary Fuel Or The Like To Fuel, Air Or Fuel-Air Mixtures (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Eine Kraftstoffdampfspeicherbehälteranordnung für ein Motorkraftstoffsystem mit einer Hauptzelle (26) zur Dampfspeicherung; einer Hilfszelle (28) zur Dampfspeicherung; einer Einlaß/Auslaß-Öffnung (30) zur Hauptzelle; einer atmosphärischen Entlüftung (22), die sich zur Hilfszelle öffnet; und einem Verbindungsmittel (38) zwischen der Hauptzelle und der Hilfszelle;
    gekennzeichnet durch
    ein Drucksteuerventil (18) mit einem Diaphragma (40) und einer Feder (42) im Verbindungsmittel zwischen der Hauptzelle und der Hilfszelle, worin das Drucksteuerventil vorgespannt ist, um Dämpfe daran zu hindern, von der Hauptzelle in die Hilfszelle zu strömen, und auf Druck in der Hauptzelle anspricht, um dem Diaphragma zu gestatten, sich von seinem Sitz zu lösen und somit dem Verbindungsmittel zu gestatten, offen zu sein, wenn der Druck in der Hauptzelle ein ausgewähltes Niveau erreicht, wodurch im wesentlichen der gesamte Dampf in der Hauptzelle gesammelt wird.
  2. Eine Kraftstoffdampfspeicherbehälteranordnung wie in Anspruch 1 beansprucht,
    mit einem im allgemeinen länglichen, adsorbergefüllten Gehäuse (24), in welchem sich die Hauptzelle (26) und die Hilfszelle (28) befinden.
  3. Eine Kraftstoffdampfspeicherbehälteranordnung wie in Anspruch 2 beansprucht,
    worin das Gehäuse (24) ein Volumen aufweist, das entweder vertikal oder horizontal in eine Vielzahl von separaten Kammern (26a, 26b) unterteilt ist, die miteinander der Reihe nach kommunizieren, um die Hauptzelle (26) zu bilden; worin das Volumen der Hilfszelle (28) kleiner als das Volumen der Hauptzelle ist; worin die Einlaß/Auslaß-Öffnung (30) sich zur ersten Kammer der Hauptzelle öffnet; und worin sich das Verbindungsmittel (38) zwischen der letzten Kammer der Hauptzelle und der Hilfszelle befindet.
  4. Eine Kraftstoffdampfspeicherbehälteranordnung wie in Anspruch 1 beansprucht,
    worin die Hauptzelle (26) adsorbergefüllt ist und mehrere separate Kammern (26a, 26b) umfaßt, die miteinander der Reihe nach kommunizieren, um die Hauptzelle zu bilden; worin die Hilfszelle (28) adsorbergefüllt ist und ein Volumen aufweist, welches kleiner als das Volumen der Hauptzelle ist; worin die Einlaß/Auslaß-Öffnung (30) sich zur ersten Kammer der Hauptzelle öffnet; und worin sich das Verbindungsmittel (38) zwischen der letzten Kammer der Hauptzelle und der Hilfszelle befindet.
  5. Eine Kraftstoffdampfspeicherbehälteranordnung wie in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 beansprucht,
    worin das Drucksteuerventil (18) umfaßt eine Vakuumöffnung im Verbindungsmittel (38) zwischen der Hauptzelle (26) und der Hilfszelle (28); eine Vakuumleitung (20), die mit dem Einlaßsystem des Motors verbindbar ist und an das Drucksteuerventil bei der Vakuumöffnung angeschlossen ist; wodurch die Fähigkeiten zur Reinigung verbessert werden, während welcher Motorvakuum auf die Feder (42) im Drucksteuerventil wirkt, um das Diaphragma (40) von seinem Sitz zu lösen, welches das Drucksteuerventil öffnet und Luft durch die atmosphärische Entlüftung (22) einzieht, die sukzessiv in die Hilfszelle (28) hinein, durch das Drucksteuerventil und in die Hauptzelle (26) hinein strömt, um die Kohlenwasserstoffdämpfe wiederzugewinnen und sie zum Motor zurückzubringen.
  6. Eine Kraftstoffdampfspeicherbehälteranordnung wie in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5 beansprucht,
    worin die Einlaß/Auslaß-Öffnung (30) zur Verbindung mit einem Kraftstofftank (10) und einer Motorvakuumquelle ausgebildet ist.
EP92201204A 1991-05-20 1992-04-29 Sammelbehältervorrichtung für Kraftstoffdämpfe Expired - Lifetime EP0514961B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/702,859 US5148793A (en) 1991-05-20 1991-05-20 Compartmental evaporative canister and pressure control valve assembly
US702859 1991-05-20

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0514961A1 EP0514961A1 (de) 1992-11-25
EP0514961B1 true EP0514961B1 (de) 1994-12-14

Family

ID=24822883

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92201204A Expired - Lifetime EP0514961B1 (de) 1991-05-20 1992-04-29 Sammelbehältervorrichtung für Kraftstoffdämpfe

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US5148793A (de)
EP (1) EP0514961B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH0742900B2 (de)
DE (1) DE69200897T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4140255C3 (de) * 1991-12-06 1999-05-20 Bosch Gmbh Robert Entlüftungsvorrichtung für einen Brennstofftank einer Brennkraftmaschine
DE4140258C1 (de) * 1991-12-06 1993-04-15 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart, De
DE4241274C2 (de) * 1992-12-08 1999-02-11 Freudenberg Carl Fa Vorrichtung zum Einspeisen der im Freiraum eines Kraftstoffbehälters befindlichen Dämpfe in das Ansaugrohr einer Verbrennungskraftmaschine
DE4320384A1 (de) * 1993-06-19 1994-12-22 Mann & Hummel Filter Aktivkohlefilter zur Kraftstofftankentlüftung
US5408977A (en) * 1993-08-23 1995-04-25 Walbro Corporation Fuel tank with carbon canister and shut-off valve
JP3265095B2 (ja) * 1993-11-19 2002-03-11 本田技研工業株式会社 キャニスタ
JP3265094B2 (ja) * 1993-11-19 2002-03-11 本田技研工業株式会社 キャニスタ
US5437257A (en) * 1994-02-28 1995-08-01 General Motors Corporation Evaporative emission control system with vent valve
US5560347A (en) * 1994-05-02 1996-10-01 General Motors Corporation Conductive foam vapor sensing
US5408976A (en) * 1994-05-02 1995-04-25 General Motors Corporation Swellable adsorbent diagnostic for fuel vapor handling system
JP3693389B2 (ja) * 1995-07-06 2005-09-07 株式会社デンソー キャニスタ
JP3156579B2 (ja) * 1996-02-20 2001-04-16 トヨタ自動車株式会社 キャニスタ
WO1997033765A1 (de) * 1996-03-13 1997-09-18 Filterwerk Mann+Hummel Gmbh Variables adsorptionsfilter
US5957114A (en) * 1998-07-17 1999-09-28 Ford Motor Company Evaporative emission canister for an automotive vehicle
US5924410A (en) * 1998-07-20 1999-07-20 Ford Motor Company Evaporative emission canister for an automotive vehicle
US6237574B1 (en) 1999-04-20 2001-05-29 Ford Motor Company Evaporative emission canister for an automotive vehicle
DE19952092C1 (de) * 1999-10-29 2000-10-26 Daimler Chrysler Ag Aktivkohlefilter
US6896852B1 (en) * 2000-03-29 2005-05-24 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Hydrocarbon bleed emission scrubber with low restriction
US6250081B1 (en) * 2000-06-15 2001-06-26 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Method for producing carbon/plastic bricks for use in an evaporative control system
US6382191B1 (en) 2000-08-12 2002-05-07 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Fuel tank pressure control system
US6422214B1 (en) 2000-08-15 2002-07-23 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Fuel tank pressure control system
US6378505B1 (en) 2000-08-15 2002-04-30 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Fuel tank pressure control system
US6769416B2 (en) * 2001-05-11 2004-08-03 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Evaporated fuel processing module
US7185639B1 (en) * 2004-09-30 2007-03-06 Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C. Evaporative emission controls
US7556025B2 (en) * 2007-02-20 2009-07-07 Kohler Co. Evaporative emission control apparatus and method
US8191536B2 (en) * 2007-07-05 2012-06-05 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Multi-path evaporative purge system for fuel combusting engine
JP6017167B2 (ja) * 2012-04-06 2016-10-26 愛三工業株式会社 トラップキャニスタ

Family Cites Families (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3352294A (en) * 1965-07-28 1967-11-14 Exxon Research Engineering Co Process and device for preventing evaporation loss
US3515107A (en) * 1968-05-31 1970-06-02 Calgon C0Rp Two-bed evaporative loss control device
US3575152A (en) * 1969-10-01 1971-04-20 Gen Motors Corp Vapor recovery using a plurality of progressively absorbent beds connected in series
US3730158A (en) * 1971-07-28 1973-05-01 Gen Motors Corp Canister for evaporation loss control
US3884204A (en) * 1974-04-15 1975-05-20 Gen Motors Corp Tank fill vapor control
FR2298005A1 (fr) * 1975-01-15 1976-08-13 Peugeot & Renault Procede et dispositif de recyclage au carburateur de vapeurs d'hydrocarbures
US4153025A (en) * 1977-12-02 1979-05-08 General Motors Corporation Fuel tank vapor flow control valve
JPS54151725A (en) * 1978-05-22 1979-11-29 Hitachi Ltd Device for collecting evaporated fuel generated in fuel container for internal combustion engine
JPS5523348A (en) * 1978-08-05 1980-02-19 Toyota Motor Corp Fuel evaporation loss preventive device in car
CA1124594A (en) * 1978-11-30 1982-06-01 Brian W. Green Engine with evaporation control system
US4203401A (en) * 1979-01-29 1980-05-20 General Motors Corporation Evaporative emissions canister
JPS55107057A (en) * 1979-02-09 1980-08-16 Toyota Motor Corp Preventive device of fuel evaporation loss
US4280466A (en) * 1979-03-26 1981-07-28 General Motors Corporation Evaporative emission control device
DE2931847A1 (de) * 1979-08-06 1981-02-26 Cassella Ag Verfahren zum bedrucken von synthetischem, hydrophobem fasermaterial nach dem transferdruckprinzip
JPS57126127A (en) * 1981-01-27 1982-08-05 Toshiba Corp Diffusion treating method for semiconductor wafer
JPS5929761A (ja) * 1982-08-13 1984-02-17 Nissan Motor Co Ltd 内燃機関の燃料蒸気蒸散防止装置
JPH039467Y2 (de) * 1985-02-25 1991-03-08
US4836172A (en) * 1986-10-06 1989-06-06 Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Canister device for use in gasoline tank
US4872439A (en) * 1987-02-02 1989-10-10 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Device for preventing outflow of a fuel vapor from a fuel tank
US4951643A (en) * 1987-09-16 1990-08-28 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Fuel vapor treatment apparatus
US4887578A (en) * 1987-09-25 1989-12-19 Colt Industries, Inc. On board refueling vapor recovery system
US4894072A (en) * 1989-03-27 1990-01-16 General Motors Corporation High efficiency vapor storage canister
JPH0741882Y2 (ja) * 1989-04-26 1995-09-27 トヨタ自動車株式会社 蒸発燃料処理装置
US5088466A (en) * 1990-07-06 1992-02-18 Mitsubishi Denki K.K. Evaporated fuel gas purging system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69200897D1 (de) 1995-01-26
JPH05141317A (ja) 1993-06-08
EP0514961A1 (de) 1992-11-25
JPH0742900B2 (ja) 1995-05-15
DE69200897T2 (de) 1995-05-04
US5148793A (en) 1992-09-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0514961B1 (de) Sammelbehältervorrichtung für Kraftstoffdämpfe
CA1151030A (en) Proportional flow fuel vapor purge control device
US5456236A (en) Evaporative emission control system for internal combustion engines
US3575152A (en) Vapor recovery using a plurality of progressively absorbent beds connected in series
JP2934699B2 (ja) 蒸発燃料処理装置
US3221724A (en) Vapor recovery system
US7047952B1 (en) Canister
JP3111396B2 (ja) 蒸発燃料排出抑制装置
US6769415B2 (en) Evaporative control system
US3352294A (en) Process and device for preventing evaporation loss
US5623911A (en) Fuel vapor treating apparatus
US20080308075A1 (en) Automotive fuel system for substantially reducing hydrocarbon emissions into the atmosphere, and method
US4085721A (en) Evaporation purge control device
US7353809B2 (en) Evaporative emissions canister with integral liquid fuel trap
US4454849A (en) Canister for internal combustion engine
US4886096A (en) Evaporative emission control system
US3517654A (en) Evaporative emission control system
US5692480A (en) Evaporative emission control system for automotive vehicle
US4395991A (en) Emission preventing system of evaporated fuel for internal combustion engine
US5487369A (en) Evaporative emission control system for internal combustion engines
US11326561B2 (en) Canister
JPH0765548B2 (ja) 燃料蒸気捕集装置
JPH09203353A (ja) 車両用キャニスタ
JPH0539758A (ja) タンクエバポシステム
JP2692420B2 (ja) 蒸発燃料捕集装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19921021

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19930625

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69200897

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19950126

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20010321

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20010413

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20010612

Year of fee payment: 10

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020429

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20021101

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20020429

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20021231

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050429